Destined For A Duke (Completed)

Chapter 29

The next morning Ella woke up alone. She knew that Max had to see that everything ran smoothly in his absence but she did not expect him to do it as soon as possible. She thought that he would rest for a while.

Ella's maid arrived to help her dress and informed her that Max wanted to visit his tenants. He also asked if she would join him. Ella smiled as she realized that he had asked for her presence, not demanded it. She can say no to him. It felt good to be treated like an equal, even when she was not. Max was superior to her in birth and money both.

Ella dressed for a day around the village before making her way to breakfast table. As soon as she entered the room, one of the footman left the room silently.

Me Bates helped Ella into her seat. He had a smile on his face while he asked her if the room was good enough and if she slept peacefully. Instead of answering, Ella kept on staring at him. It was just so abnormal to see one's butler smile.

"You will have to forgive my wife John. She was raised in London and is used to a stiff butler. I think you are an anomaly for someone like her." Max smiled as he entered the room followed by the footman who had left earlier.

"I was waiting for you to wake up. I think I have been thoroughly spoiled by my stay at Will's. I couldn't eat without some company." Ella was felt as if her thinking process was slow this morning as she had trouble understanding the whole situation.

"The footman left to get you? You asked him to do that?" Max laughed loudly. Ella still had trouble understanding what was so funny about her questions.

"You are serious? I told you, I tried to eat alone. I needed some company after returning from such a crowded manor." Ella kept on looking at her husband as if he had grown another head. Max decided that a change of subject might pull her out of stupor that she was in.

"Will you be accompanying me to the village?" Ella concentrated on the plate in front of her to gather her thoughts. She was still in shock, Max wanted her company?

"Of course! The tenants want me there. I don't want to disappoint anyone." Ella smiled at Max in an attempt to appear normal. He smiled in return and continued eating. Ella stared at her husband in shock. Max should have forgotten about her as soon as they were alone together, at least the normal ones.

Ella had a feeling that nothing in this estate was normal,especially the way everyone behaved with their Lord. She stared as Max complimented Mrs Bates cooking and Mr Bates complained, he blamed Max for spoiling his wife. Ella stared as the banter continued feeling as if she was in a dream. When they were about to leave the dining room, Max took her hand and placed it on his arm. He teased a young footman on his way out.

"You look calm here, at peace. Do you stay here often?" Ella asked as soon as they were alone. Max did look like a completely different person in his ancestral home.

"I am calm here. This house feels different now. I stayed away for so many years. I thought that my personal demons lived here, but they are all in my head." Max smiled as he looked out the nearby window. It was almost as if he was reliving something.

"I had the best and worst times of my life in this house. These people were the ones who raised me, were there for me and....." Ella saw Max's face contort at some ugly memory and decided to change the subject. It was obvious that Max was thinking about his cousin.

"How big is your land?" she asked the first question that popped into her head.

"As far as you can see. This is just a portion of it that is developed. We have the largest network of dirt roads, agricultural land and businesses. I have one of the largest estates of England." Max smiled proudly and Ella decided to congratulate herself on an averted disaster for a conversation.

I'm so tired these days. This chapter and the next one are not that exciting, that is why I procrastinated. But you'll understand why they are important.